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In this issue: More at summit.org » pg. 2 From the President’s » The Presiden’t Desk: the Desk Dr. Jeff Myers’ Blog » pg. 5 A Look at Our World » Join our e-mail list for updates, resources » pg. 7 Alumni Spotlight: Summit Grad Plans to Minister » Check our Twitter journalJanuary 2013 Volume 13 Issue 1 in His Native Egypt feed: @summitmn What Do We Make of Radical Islamicism? there are “denominational differences” in Islam just as there are in Christianity. Varying interpretations of the Qur’an, Hadith, and Sunnah — the three author- itative texts of Islam — have produced different forms of Islam, according to Dr. Nabeel Qureshi, a Summit lecturer and former Muslim. Broadly speaking, some Muslims adhere to a traditionalist Islam, which takes all the material in the three sources literally. Others, mean- while, adhere to a reformed Islam, which dismisses the abusive aspects of Islam by claiming they are no longer culturally relevant, especially when they are violent and mistreat women. Qureshi’s theory is that the world- wide rise in violence among Muslims in recent years is due to the spread of information. More Muslims are now able to see the original texts for themselves, including calls to violence. This rising awareness, though, has also fueled the growth of reformed Islam. “All [of re- formed Islam’s] teachings don’t jive with Cover Story original sources,” Qureshi said. As far Americans continue to want answers So how do we make sense of the im- as Islam’s ability to assimilate into other to questions surrounding the September ages we see on network news each night cultures, Muslim rejection of Islam’s 11, 2012, attacks in Benghazi, Libya. and the snapshots many of us observe in violent teachings is a good thing. Though many legitimate questions about our neighborhoods, towns, and commu- Abdu Murray, also a former Muslim the attack remain, the perpetrators are, nities? What are the worldwide implica- and another Summit lecturer, agreed in fact, known: Islamic terrorists with tions of these competing narratives, and that many Muslims — particularly those ties to al Qaeda. Once again, Americans how do we engage Muslims in light of in the West — simply don’t adhere to are drawn to the turmoil in the Middle that? many of the commands of Islamic scrip- East and the tension of two different A Story of Two Islams: ture. “I can’t tell you how many Muslims narratives: one of violent, jihad-driven Traditional and Reformed are nominal at best,” he said. “They are Islamists and one of Muslim neighbors Although similarities do exist be- [only] cultural Muslims. If it were a simply trying to make a good life for tween Christianity and Islam, there are crime to be an orthodox Muslim, they themselves. myriad differences. One similarity is that See Islam, page 3 from the president’s desk a word from dr. jeff myers By God’s faithfulness the year courageous first responders. Their totalizing, winner- 2012 was another banner year resourcefulness and bravery turned takes-all world- for Summit: 1,500 students came the tide. view. Ali A. Allawi, through our 12-day programs and Summit is in the business of author of the 20,000 in all were equipped through preparing cultural first responders to acclaimed Crisis of Summit’s intensive worldview train- turn the tide threatening to engulf our Islamic Civilization, argues that there ing curriculum. culture. Imagine hundreds of thou- are only two options: “Islamists will But here’s the hard news: there sands of emerging adults equipped to force society to conform to Islam or are millions of young people who be articulate, persuasive, and effective ‘the dominant civilizational order’ haven’t learned how to understand the change agents for a Christian world- will ‘fatally undermine whatever is times in which they live. The future view. left of Muslims’ basic identity and of America hinges on whether we can The first step in turning the tide is autonomy.’” turn the tide for these young people. understanding the times in which we The molten core of the Islamist We have not a moment to lose. live. This issue ofThe Journal prepares propensity for violence and mistreat- This time in history is decisive. Every you to understand the heart of the ment is a flawed theology, a world- move we make is of critical impor- Islamic worldview, but even more view that sees humans as slaves of tance. In 2013 Summit is taking important the true threat, which is God, not as sons and daughters made unprecedented steps to mobilize not Islam itself but a well-organized, in God’s image. The Christian doc- our alumni, expand our events, and well-funded and determined effort trine of imago dei — the doctrine exponentially grow the reach of our inside the Muslim community called that more than any other has pro- curriculum courses for churches and Islamicism. moted humane advancements such as Christian schools. Summit intends to America seems unwilling to hospitals, civil rights, education, and play a role in turning the tide. understand Islam itself and pathologi- the abolition of slavery — is a foreign This summer a raging wildfire cally incapable of dealing realistically concept to Islamists. crept within one mile of our Sum- with the threat of Islamicism. In the midst of out-of-control mit headquarters, threatening to Our current secretary of state government spending, a lackluster engulf the town of Manitou Springs. would have us believe that that economy and threats to life, marriage, A handful of brave firefighters battled Islamists are primarily concerned and religious freedom, we must clear- the blaze throughout the night. In about “freedom of worship.” President ly understand the Islamic worldview the morning the wind shifted and our Obama seems to think that Islamists and the Islamist agenda. The tension town was spared. can be pacified if we bow down and between loving our Muslim neigh- We all know the Lord protected apologize to them. bors and refusing to permit a foothold us and one of His means was the As we will see, Islamicism is a to Islamist legal or governmental influence must be acknowledged. In 2013 Summit is taking unprecedented So, invite your Muslim neighbors “ over for a meal. Love their kids. Ask steps to mobilize our alumni, expand our questions. Explain how Jesus revealed events, and exponentially grow the reach himself to you and ask them to pray of our curriculum courses ... that He will do the same for them. ” But at the same time, educate yourself on the threat that doctrines such as Sharia law pose to a Constitutional Dr. Jeff Myers republic, and stand firm. Page 2 January 2013 islam continued from page one couldn’t be convicted of it.” That’s why their adherence to Islamic scriptures. he says it’s important for non-Muslims Many enforce Islamic law — sharia Further Resources to note well the difference between — on their citizens. According to Islam — the actual religion left by Abdu Murray, an example of that end » William Kilpatrick’s new Muhammad, which calls for violence of the spectrum is what we’re seeing book Christianity, Islam, and toward nonbelievers and a full politi- in Egypt as the Muslim Brotherhood, Atheism helps explain Islam cal ideology — and Muslims — those adherents of traditional Islam, wrest in relation to the overall who say they follow Islam. “We have control from what had been a mostly battle of worldviews in to understand there’s a spectrum of secular Islamic regime. America today. Muslims,” he said. “They hold their One implication of the growth of worldview with a varying degree of traditional Islam is that non-Muslims tightness.” in countries like Egypt may be treated » Creed 2:6 (www.creed26. Even the Islamic scriptures as second-class citizens. According to com) — Nabeel Qureshi’s themselves are conflicting. At various the Qur’an, Islamic countries have a ministry aims to help Chris- places within the Qur’an (the Islamic right to charge non-Muslims a special tians better share Christ holy book, written by Muhammad), tax (called jivya) in order to live under with their Muslim friends. the Hadith (sayings of Muhammad), the protection of the state. In other and the Sunnah (doctrines of practice Islamic nations, such as Iran, sharia lived out or advocated by Muham- law is heavily enforced. » Aletheia International mad) violence is in fact a flagstone The violence that we see in the (www.embracetruth.org) (see surah 9 of the Qur’an, for ex- Middle East can be used to point to- — The ministry founded ample). Other passages advocate for ward Christ, though. Murray says that by Abdu Murray that ex- peace. Alan Shlemon, another Sum- as with all conflict, violence in and ists to help Muslims, Jews, mit lecturer, said the explanation around Islamic countries is usually cult members, and skeptics for the texts’ discrepancies is pretty followed by three reactions: embrace the Gospel. simple. Muhammad wrote differ- ent parts of the Qur’an during two 1 Sorrow of loss different times of his life: his time in 2 Demand for justice »Stand to Reason (www.str. Mecca and the last half of his life after 3 Cry for love org) — One of the top apol- fleeing to Medina. Muhammad’s time ogetics ministries in the in Mecca was peaceful, while his time The Christian worldview ad- country, Stand to Reason is in Medina, as his popularity grew, was dresses all three of these needs in the organization for which much more violent. Thus, the discrep- unique ways, says Murray. “A Gospel- Alan Shlemon speaks.

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